Month: September 2008

As girls, I think we all go through a period where we love horses and want to have one. I know I did. When I was in kindergarten I got to take a short ride on a horse owned by friends. I loved being up high on such a big animal. Throughout my childhood I read lots of horse books, watched movies like “National Velvet” and made horses into art projects for school- paper mache, clay, and drawings. Did I ever get my horse? No. But I still think about it, especially looking at this old picture of my first ride.

” Well, my dear,” she said, “how do like him?”
” He is exactly what John said, ” he replied. “What shall we call him?”
” He is really quite a beauty, and he has such a sweet face, ” she said thoughtfully. “What do you say to calling him Black Beauty?”
“Yes! I think that’s a fine name, ” he answered. “If you like, that shall be his name…”

“If I won that horse,” said Velvet, “I might ride him in the Grand National myself.”
“Girls can’t ride in that, ” said Mike contemptuously.
“Girls!” said Velvet, stopping still beside him so that they all drew up. “Who’s to know I’m a girl?”
She cupped her face in her two hands so that her straight hair was taken from it…”

“In 1938, near the end of a decade of monumental turmoil, the year’s number-one news maker was not Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Hitler, or Mussolini. It wasn’t Pope Pius Xl, nor was it Lou Gehrig, Howard Hughes, or Clark Gable. The subject of the most newspaper column inches in 1938 wasn’t even a person. It was an undersized, crooked-legged race horse named Seabiscuit…”

Bill Gibb was one of those rare designers who was a true romantic. He loved the pure act of creating clothing from all kinds of inspirations- interesting textures (patchwork, tapestries, quilts and embroidery), history (from the British Isle as well as other areas ) and nature. His innovative designs were successful and in 1970 he was crowned Designer of the Year by British Vogue. Sadly, he died of cancer in 1988 when he was just 44 years old. Had he lived longer, he would be flattered to know that today’s generation is rediscovering and appreciating his designs.

This past summer I went to a local antique fair and bought a paper doll set. Not just any paper doll, but a Twiggy paper doll from 1967. And she came complete with two uncut sheets of paper clothes! So, I thought it might be fun to post every Monday, a Twiggy outfit! Don’t worry, Margot, I’m not cutting the paper, just scanning the images. Here’s the first-

On her way to meet friends for brunch, Twiggy wears two hot trends for this fall- a cape and patterned tights!

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Started in 2007, Nibs is my blog where I post my interests, ideas and occasional projects. Please check the 'About Me' link for further information and for using content on your blog, Tumblr and/or Pinterest.
Warm regards,
Martha Browne